Limitations

Matthew 13:53-58 - And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his own country, he taught in their synagogue so that they were amazed, and said, "Where did this man get his wisdom and these might works? Is not this the carpenter's son and his more called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Oh, how many times I think I know someone and they astonish me with new knowledge? How many times we forget that people grow and change throughout their lives? In Jesus's hometown, where he grew up, they thought they knew him. They had labeled him and then took offense because he chose not to stay in that label. He chose to be himself and follow his father's will.

We label others and we label ourselves. Perhaps the greater offense is labeling ourselves. We label ourselves based on our negative traits - those that create disharmony - rather than focusing on our positive traits - those that create harmony and attract others. Well, speaking for me. This is a form of violence when we do this. We are refusing to hear our own stories and in so doing we cannot hear others' stories.

Either way we forget that God calls ordinary people not exceptional people to do his service. Today I will think about the labels I have put on people and examine all those I meet without those labels.
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